Texas Health Officials Report Spike In Cyclospora Parasites Intestinal Infections

AUSTIN, TX — They're back.

Officials at the Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin have reported a spike in intestinal illness caused by consuming food or water contaminated with Cyclospora parasites—microspic oocysts causing intestinal infection that can spark watery, and sometimes explosive, diarrhea.

Consequently, the year-to-date number of infection cases has risen to 68, with 148 cases of cyclosporiasis illness last year, according to agency officials. The spike occurred during the months of June and July, Food Safety News reported.

Given the recent uptick in cases, Texas Department of State Health Services officials are advising healthcare providers to test for the Cyclospora parasite in patients reporting having diarrheal illness lasting more than a few days or diarrhea accompanied by severe anorexia or fatigue, according to the report. A diagnosis of infection is reached after three stool samples, according to information found on the agency's website.

"Although no common exposure source for this increase in cases has yet been identified, past

outbreaks in the U.S. have been associated with consumption of imported fresh produce, including
fresh cilantro, pre-packaged salad mix, raspberries, basil, snow peas, and mesclun lettuce," health officials wrote in a past advisory. "Thorough washing of fresh produce is recommended, but may not eliminate the risk of transmission since Cyclospora can be difficult to wash off all types of produce. Infection is generally not
transmitted directly from person-to-person."

Health officials also urge those afflicted to report their cases to assist them in finding a cause for the infection: “Rapid reporting to public health, enabling prompt investigation to identify possible common exposures, is essential to preventing additional cases of cyclosporiasis, Usually, cyclosporiasis symptoms begin in 2 to 14 days after ingestion of the Cyclospora oocysts in contaminated food and water."

The good news, the newsletter reported, is the the year-to-date figures represent a marked decrease over the previous three years, including 351 cyclosporiasis reported in Texas during 2013; 200 in 2014; and 316 in 2015. But don't tell that to those afflicted this year, given myriad symptoms associated with the infection.

Food Safety News reports that Texas officials have yet to determine a common exposure source for this year's outbreak, but an agency statement points to consumption of imported fresh produce as a likely culprit. This includes fresh cilantro, pre-packaged salad mixes, raspberries, basil, snow peas and mesclun lettuce, according to health officials.

Washing produce is always advisable, but doesn't guarantee Cyclospora removal, officials noted. Only cooking kills the parasite, they added.

State officials add that children with confirmed cyclosporiasis should be kept out of school or daycare until they are free of diarrhea or fever. Rules for exclusion of sick children from school and childcare are outlined in the Texas Administrative Code, specifically Rule 97.7 for schools and Rule 746.3603 for childcare.

>>> Read the full story at Food Safety News

Image via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention